•Nacada Coast regional manager George Karisa said that, according to their research, drug use starts at a young age of 10 years.
•The DP called on coastal leaders to speak more on the drug menace as it was the only way the government would know how to address the issue.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken the drug abuse war to the coastal leaders, questioning their silence.
The DP on Monday revealed that the government was highly concerned by the coastal leaders who appear to have taken a back seat in the fight against illicit brew and drugs.
"There is a serious crisis in Mombasa and the leadership is quiet. At least I can attest that Nyali MP Mohamed Ali has been vocal about the issue…But other leaders are quiet."
"Why are leaders at the coast quiet as our young population is being killed and destroyed by drugs? Gachgaua posed.
He was speaking at the Illicit Alcohol And Drug Eradication Conference in Mombasa
The DP further questioned the absence of some leaders in the forum which was important not only to the country but especially the coastal people.
"Tumepanga mkutano kuzungumzia mambo ya hapa kwao wengine hawajakuja (We have planned for this meeting to discuss their local issues and some are not even here)."
"Why are some leaders not present in this forum? This is a very important conference to discuss the very existence of our population in the region. This is a conversation that every elected leader should be part of because there is a serious problem," Gachagua said.
The DP called on coastal leaders to speak more on the drug menace as it was the only way the government would know how to address the issue.
"We want to hear you more because you represent the people. Unless leaders are telling us there is no problem," Gachaguaa added.
On Sunday, the DP said stringent measures will be rolled out to wipe out illicit brews and drugs destroying the lives of hundreds of Kenyans beginning Monday.
Gachagua insisted that it would not be business as usual as destructive drinks kill people and maim others, promising a tougher response to effectively deal with the vice.
He said the President William Ruto Administration is working on tougher interventions vowing coordinated enforcement by various government agencies.
In 2022, Security chiefs in Mombasa raised concern over increased drug and substance use among secondary school students in the region.
Deputy County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi said the drug abuse problem has now shifted from the community to schools.
“Drug abuse in our schools is the main problem we are facing in Mombasa right now. Young people are carelessly engaged in drug use,” Mwiwawi said at the Treasury Square, Mombasa, during a celebration to mark International Day against Drug Abuse.
Mwiwawi said several secondary schools have reported cases of students caught with drugs.
Nacada Coast regional manager George Karisa said that, according to their research, drug use starts at a young age of 10 years.
He said the region has really been affected and that at least 13,000 people use heroin.
Karisa said that 29.3 per cent of people are using different drugs, including alcohol.
“Mombasa leads in hard drugs and substance usage, bhang and prescription drugs that people are using without doctors’ advice,” he said.
In the region, at least 18,000 people are using injectable drug users.
“Poor parenting has contributed to children engaging in drugs. Parents have left all the responsibilities to teachers," the manager said.
"We need to have time with our children and take up responsibility as parents because this fight against drugs involves everyone.”